Canada Issues 6,000 Invitations in Latest Express Entry Draw — Largest CEC Round in Over a Year

Latest Express Entry Draw December 2025

In a major development for skilled workers already living and working in Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has conducted its largest Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw in more than 16 months. A total of 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence were issued in the latest Express Entry round, marking a significant shift in momentum after months of smaller, more selective draws.

The December draw has created a wave of optimism among temporary residents hoping to transition to permanent status, particularly those who have been residing in Canada on work permits. For many, this round represents a much-needed breakthrough following a year of moderate invitation numbers and competitive score thresholds.

A Major Boost for In-Canada Skilled Workers

The Canadian Experience Class is one of the most popular immigration pathways under the Express Entry system, designed specifically for individuals with at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada. These candidates often integrate more quickly into the labour market, making them a key part of Canada’s long-term immigration strategy.

This large-scale draw is especially significant for CEC candidates who have been waiting for an opportunity to receive an invitation. With rising competition and fluctuating cut-off scores throughout 2025, many skilled workers were concerned about delays in their transition to permanent residency. Issuing 6,000 ITAs in a single round signals a renewed commitment to fast-tracking the permanent residence process for workers who are already contributing to the Canadian economy.

CRS Cut-Off Holds Firm Despite Larger Volume

Despite the high volume of invitations, the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cut-off score for this draw remained competitive at 520 points. While the threshold is lower than some earlier rounds in 2025, it still reflects IRCC’s continued focus on selecting strong, well-qualified profiles.

This combination — a large number of invitations alongside a solid CRS benchmark — shows that Canada is aiming to balance both quality and volume. It also suggests that the candidate pool remains highly competitive, driven by strong language scores, Canadian work experience, and higher education credentials.

For many applicants hovering near the 520 range, this draw may be the breakthrough they have been waiting for.

Why This Draw Matters Now

The timing of this large CEC draw is notable. With 2026 expected to bring updates to Canada’s immigration programs, including potential adjustments to occupational classifications and revised intake strategies, IRCC appears to be clearing a backlog and stabilizing the pool ahead of policy changes.

In the second half of 2025, Canada saw an increase in category-based draws targeting sectors like healthcare, STEM, transportation, and trades. However, CEC-specific draws remained modest in size — typically in the 1,000 to 1,500 range. Jumping to a 6,000-ITA round indicates a deliberate effort to offer more opportunities to in-Canada workers before new frameworks take effect.

This move may also help employers retain skilled talent, especially after a period of busy economic activity and labour shortages across multiple industries.

Impact on Current and Future Applicants

1. Greater opportunities for temporary workers

Those currently working in Canada under Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWP), employer-specific permits, or open work permits stand to benefit the most. Many have been waiting months — or even years — for a draw that offers higher invitation numbers.

2. A potential shift for early 2026

This large draw may indicate IRCC’s intention to open more CEC-focused rounds in early 2026, especially if Canada aims to balance its economic and demographic priorities. Workers already integrated into the labour market are often seen as strong long-term contributors.

3. The CRS trend to watch

A cut-off of 520 shows that while this was a large draw, scoring trends remain competitive. If additional high-volume draws take place, CRS thresholds could gradually ease — but that will depend on how IRCC manages intake in early 2026.

Preparing for the Next Steps

Candidates who receive an invitation must submit their full permanent residence application within 60 days. This stage requires:

• Valid proof of Canadian skilled work experience
• Updated language test results
• Verified education credentials
• Police certificates and background documents
• Proof of funds (if required under their category)
• Accurate personal history and travel details

Given the short submission window, applicants who have been monitoring their profiles should ensure their paperwork is ready ahead of time.

What This Signals for Canada’s Immigration Strategy

The latest draw reflects several emerging themes in Canada’s immigration landscape:

⦿ Strong preference for candidates already in Canada

CEC applicants generally integrate faster, earn higher initial wages, and require fewer settlement resources compared with newcomers landing directly from abroad.

⦿ Emphasis on economic recovery and labour stability

Industries across Canada continue to face labour shortages. Increasing invitations for in-country workers helps employers retain experienced talent.

⦿ Continued use of targeted and category-based draws

Even with category-specific rounds gaining momentum, IRCC is clearly maintaining space for larger program-specific draws when needed.

⦿ A transitional period before new system updates

With 2026 reforms approaching, this draw may help recalibrate the Express Entry pool, reduce processing pressures, and set the stage for future changes.

What Applicants Should Do Now

For skilled workers inside Canada:

• Continue updating their Express Entry profile
• Maintain valid work permits while awaiting future draws
• Improve CRS scores through language retesting or gaining additional experience
• Stay informed about potential policy changes in early 2026

For those outside Canada:

• The CEC pathway is reserved for in-Canada experience, but all-program or occupation-specific draws may still offer opportunities in upcoming rounds.
• Applicants abroad should continue strengthening their profiles through language exams, education assessments, and work experience.

A Promising Start to a New Phase

The issuance of 6,000 invitations signals a strong close to 2025 and sets an optimistic tone heading into the new year. For thousands of skilled workers who have built their lives and careers in Canada, this draw represents more than an invitation — it represents stability, security, and the opportunity to plan their long-term future in the country.

As Canada continues to adapt its immigration priorities to meet economic needs and demographic challenges, large-scale CEC draws like this one may become an important tool for shaping the workforce of tomorrow. For now, the latest round stands as a clear message: Canada remains committed to welcoming experienced workers who are already contributing to its growth and success.

5 Latest Express Entry Draw and Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws conducted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) in late 2025

In the Latest Express Entry Draw five draws under the Express Entry system, Canada issued a mix of invitations across different streams — signalling a broad push toward fulfilling immigration targets. On December 10, a CEC-category draw saw a whopping 6,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) issued with a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) cutoff of 520 — the largest CEC draw in over a year. Just two days earlier, on December 8, IRCC issued 1,123 ITAs to PNP-category candidates, with a CRS cutoff of 729, marking the largest PNP draw of 2025 so far. Other recent draws included a French-language proficiency round and additional CEC and PNP rounds through late November, reflecting a pattern of high-volume and varied-stream draws.

This flurry of activity underscores Canada’s dual-track strategy: on one hand, fast-tracking individuals already working in Canada under the CEC stream; and on the other, giving regional priority to candidates nominated by provinces via PNP. For applicants, this means heightened opportunity — but also stronger competition, given that CRS cutoffs remain elevated (especially for PNP). Those with strong Canadian work experience or provincial nominations now have one of the best windows in recent times to obtain permanent residence.